First Team News

Blues prepared for Rams challenge

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Sven-Goran Eriksson has faced the press this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s game with Derby County and insisted his City side are prepared for the challenge.

The media reports from the weekend showed how many were impressed with the 2-0 victory over West Ham, but the Manager knows the Blues must be on their game tomorrow.

Sven said: “Three points away from home in the first game in the Premier League, it’s fantastic, we are very happy.

“We’ve talked about it, but tomorrow we know it’s a new game and a new battle. If we want to push on we have to play very good football and be prepared. It will not be easy.”

After the impressive way the side played football on Saturday, Eriksson insisted that was not by accident, but did admit a little surprise.

“We have practised, tactically a lot, every day I would say,” he added. “You have to do that when you have so many new players, but that they answered so quickly, I was surprised by that. Hopefully tomorrow it won’t be one step backwards.”

And with Derby claiming a hard-fought draw on Saturday, Sven knows what to expect from Billy Davies’ new-boys: “I saw most of the game against Portsmouth, we talked about it this morning and watched the videos, we think we know how they might play.

“We are prepared. Derby will not make life easy for us tomorrow.”

As for what the Rams can expect from City, Sven wouldn’t give any clues, simply saying: “I leave the Derby manager thinking about that.”

The boss was also asked whether there was any news on the search for a new goalkeeper ahead of tomorrow night’s match.

He replied: “No. At this moment, no. The search is going on, but there is no news. Nothing will happen before tomorrow, absolutely not.”